If you haven't stopped by Cortona this month, please do! Not only for a great cup of coffee or a decadent tiramisu waffle, but to check out our wonderful art collection this June by our neighbor and gifted artist, Cindy Kempf.

Though Cindy owes muich to her parents who influenced her in industrial design and the arts--her greatest inspiration for her artistry comes from the complexity and beauty of nature. Much of the work displayed displayed this month utilizes everyday urban items, (bottle tops, glass bottles), to reflect the natural beauty of the world one encounters only after quiet reflection and observation. The art displayed is as much a reflection of natural beauty as it is the artist's willingness to slow down and let her intuition guide her work.

There are a number of different medium on display this month, but stained glass features prominently throughout. A form of glass art that is usually found in cathedrals, Cindy endeavors to make stained glass relevant to everyday people who would enjoy its beauty outside of church walls: "I want people to be inspired by the awe and vibration of color in their own home."

Cortona is honored to showcase Cindy's collection--make sure to drop by and enjoy!

Tonight we are hosting an event in the mezzanine from 6-9 pm bringing awareness to a particular artist village in Ngecha, Kenya. The Seattle-based non-profit PAUSE: A Space for New Visions, does work with a collective of artists in Ngecha, Kenya and they'll be displaying particular pieces created by Kenyans throughout the cafe. Meredith Bauer, the co-founder and director of PAUSE, says of the event: “We hope to celebrate our partnership with the Kenyan artists and encourage the local community here to connect with the artists and each other through viewing, appreciating, and buying their art."

Below is a short video about the artist collective in Ngecha. Come out to the cafe today to view some of the art in person and learn how you can get involved. Wine and cheese will be provided.

For the month of March at Cortona Cafe we are showing a selection of art works from art students at Franklin High School! Jed Dunkerly teaches art at FHS and put together the show:

The works hanging in the Cafe for the month of March are from current and former art students of mine at Franklin High School. Several of the projects on display came out assignments to create "movement" for the eye of the viewer, others were portfolio pieces with more individual prompts, still others were from students who had me a while ago and keep coming back into my room at lunch or after school to make art because they just can't stop. And it is that spirit, the compulsiveness to create, the spark - that fills me simultaneously with the wonder of how I can't possibly teach this to my students (they bring it on their own), and show glad I am that I get to teach them...give them some directions, some encouragement, materials, a studio to work in, and this- a chance to show what they can do to the world...at least the part of the world that passes through this door during these couple weeks.

Enjoy. These are the students/artists that remind me how spectacular people can be, in those times when I need that reminder the most.

Thanks to Tracy English for making the connection.

Jed Dunkerly

Cortona will be hosting an opening for this art tomorrow night, Saturday March 12, from 5-7pm. Please come out to see the art and support the youth in our community!

This month we are featuring a series of paintings by artist Benjamin Kerr! Here is his artist statement:

There is a lot of pressure when you are hailed as the greatest young American artist to come along in the last hundred years. Fortunately, Mr. Kerr did not have to labor under that burden. Art in America did not describe Mr. Kerr as the “savior of American art in the coming millennium” but, if it did, you would be hearing all about it in the promotional materials for this event.

Mr. Kerr initially showed his paintings to close friends and family members who unanimously found the paintings lacking in almost every regard. A lot of people would be discouraged by the poor feedback, not to mention the lack of formal training and talent, but not Mr. Kerr. Mr. Kerr’s reaction was unique; he decided to show his work to a wider audience in a vain attempt to find someone who might actually like it.

The ground braking tactic of taking canvas, stretching it over a wood frame and then applying paint is so simple, but so revolutionary, that it leads many to wonder why it has never been done before.

Come check out the new art and let us know what you think! An opening for his art is scheduled for this Saturday February 12th from 6-8pm at Cortona, so plan to stop by, meet the artist, enjoy the art, and converse with other art-loving neighbors! Mr. Kerr can be reached at benjamindavidkerr@hotmail.com.

This month at Cortona we have a series of pieces by artist and neighbor Sarah Slater! Here is a bit from her artist statement:

I have always 'tinkered' around with creative projects primarily for myself and my family; from creating household furniture out of papiêr mache, to photography, to sitting for hours at a time with a pencil drawing 1000s of tiny circles. I find that I am inspired to create one thing and from that a multitude of possibilities bloom.

The current project here at Cortona, grew out of wanting a portrait of my children other than the obligatory photograph on the wall. Circles crop up a lot in what I do. I love that the circle is such a simple form - the first shape a child will draw, and yet so much throughout nature and out manmade environment hinges on the strength and simplicity of its form. It can promote a sense of completeness, but also of endlessness. It is baffling. All-in-all, I find it comforting.

Come check out the art on display this month! Sarah can be reached at sarah_slater@yahoo.com.